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Niners cornerback Perrish Cox returned six kicks for touchdowns at Oklahoma State. (AP)

Niners free-agent wide receiver Ted Ginn will visit the Lions according to MLive.com, prompting the question that was partially answered in the NFC Championship Game: What would life be like without Ginn on special teams?

With Ginn sidelined with a knee injury, of course, Kyle Williams fumbled two punts in a crushing overtime loss.

The No. 9 pick in the 2007 draft, Ginn has never emerged as a starting-caliber wideout, but he’s sensational on special teams. Last year, he ranked third in the NFL in kickoff-return average (27.6) and fourth in punt returns (12.3). Among active players, he ranks in the top six in both categories.

So what to do if Ginn exits? The Niners might have purchased some insurance against his possible departure on Tuesday with the signing of cornerback Perrish Cox, who had an impressive return resume at Oklahoma State.

Cox, 6-foot and 198 pounds, finished his career with the third-most kickoff return yards in FBS history (2,804, 24.0 yards per return), had a school-record four touchdowns and 10 returns of at least 50 yards. As a punt returner, he averaged 11.6 yards on 60 returns and scored two touchdowns. As a rookie with the Broncos, he moonlighted as a returner. He fielded nine kickoffs (19.1 yards) and three punts (2.3).

If Ginn leaves, Cox at least looks like a candidate to replace him, based on his work at Oklahoma State.

Digging through his college stats, however, didn’t answer a key question for 49ers fans: Sure, he can return kicks, but can he so without fumbling?